Presented is a descriptive account of Alessandro Volta's first notable success in 1775, the invention of a unique method of generating electricity. Luigi Galvani's announcement of his theory of "animal electricity" in 1972 is integrated into this interpretation of Volta's discoveries with electricity. Five experiments are described: (1) electrophorus condensing electroscope and examination of weak electrification; (2) physiological experiments; (3) metallic-contact electricity; (4) construction and properties of the Voltaic piles; and (5) an illustration of "animal electricity." Descriptions are given for preparing laboratory equipment to be used in the experiments. (SA)